Expand mobile version menu

What To Learn

High School

What high school courses should you take if you're interested in this career? Get your answers from the Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics cluster Science and Mathematics pathway.

Education Level

Education training and experience are required at different levels for success in different occupations.

Doctoral degree

Physicists typically need a Ph.D. for jobs in research and academia. However, physicist jobs in the federal government typically require a bachelor's degree in physics.

Insider Info

Additional Information

Physicists need a minimum of a bachelor's degree in their science or a related discipline. Those conducting research or teaching in a post-secondary institution require a master's or doctoral degree.

High school students interested in physics can look into university programs to find a solid and well-rounded physics department. This includes well-equipped labs, a faculty active in research and a proven track record of placing students into good jobs or graduate school, says Robert J. Ragan. He is an assistant professor in the physics department at the University of Wisconsin at La Crosse.

"I think it is a good idea for a department to have concentrations in specific specialties like optics, for example, so that students can get advanced preparation in specific fields," Ragan says.

Physicists generally specialize in a certain area, including elementary particle physics, nuclear physics, atomic and molecular physics, optics, acoustics and space physics.

"In general, you can get a good education at many different sorts of institutions, and you need to decide what type of environment fits your learning style, personality and goals best," says physics professor Allen Mincer.

Mincer offers other tips to find a good program.

"Find out how many graduates go on to graduate school, and which schools they go to. This will tell you a lot about what is emphasized in the program," he says.

"Find out if the faculty are involved in research and whether undergraduates can participate in it. An active research faculty can introduce more excitement and expertise in the classroom and give the student the opportunity for hands-on learning in the lab."

However, there is a downside to an active research faculty. They usually have less time to devote to teaching. "So some students may do better in a school where research is not stressed as much," he says.

You must have certain skills and interests to be successful in physics. "They need to be very good in math, and enjoy working on difficult problems," Mincer says. "Curiosity and creativity and the ability to recognize when you don't understand something helps a lot.

"You also have to be willing to constantly challenge your own assumptions, and to keep relearning things you thought you understood. It is easy to stay motivated if you are driven by a desire to understand nature and are in awe of its beauty."

Extra Requirements

Some positions with the federal government, such as those involving nuclear energy and other sensitive research areas, may require applicants to be U.S. citizens and hold a security clearance.

Contact

  • Email Support
  • 1-800-GO-TO-XAP (1-800-468-6927)
    From outside the U.S., please call +1 (424) 750-3900
  • North Dakota Career Resource Network
    ndcrn@nd.gov | (701) 328-9733

Support